Naked Salsa spices things up without preservatives, additives

Nov. 29, 2012

Naked Salsa's Angry Scotchman packs a punch. Submitted

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The Tennessean

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Made in Tennessee is a weekly spotlight featuring products produced in our state. Reach Jen Todd at 615-313-2760 or jtodd1@tennessean.com. For more information about Tennesseee products, visit www.picktnproducts.org.

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Salsa makers Darrell and Amy Jennings strip their Naked Salsa down to the bare vegetables, with no additives or preservatives, for a fresh taste.

Darrell Jennings, owner

Number of employees: Just my wife, Amy, and I, and we sometimes drag our teenage sons in.

How did your company get started? I’ve been making salsa as a hobby for a number of years. Friends and family said, “You ought to sell it.” I guess that’s the reason it turned into a business — listening to them and with the economy going south in construction (my other job.) So we decided it was a good time to diversify and put it out and see what happened. It’s been an amazing response.

Why salsa? I love salsa. I’ve had every kind imaginable. I found two or three I really liked that I couldn’t find here. I love cooking, anyway.

How did you come up with the name? It’s naked because it’s all natural — no preservatives, no additives and we don’t cook it. The vegetables are just like they were born.

Where are your products available? We’re in four stores in Cookeville: IWC Cash & Carry, McGugin’s Shell, DelMonaco Winery and World Foods. We’re talking with Whole Foods, and hopefully in the near future we’ll be on their shelves.

Where is your salsa made? At a commercial kitchen in Cookeville we share with a restaurant: Maddie’s Place. We’re in the process of renting a much larger facility to build our own commercial kitchen, to produce the volume we need it to.

How long have you been making Naked Salsa? The company began in August 2011.

What’s next for your company? We’re working on trying to get available locations in other cities. We’re working on new flavors — we have eight currently, and we’re working on a couple more. They’re all cold-pack products, so shipping is a little situation for us. An Internet sales option would be great.

Is this a full-time or part-time job? Right now it’s a part-time job, but at the pace we’re growing it could very well move into full-time.

What is your favorite Tennessee-made product aside from your own? I’d have to say the Merritt-Pop folks.